"It was actually embarrassing": Naomi Osaka reveals how Daria Kasatkina 'smacked' her during practice ahead of Rome Open

Former world number one Naomi Osaka has revealed that Daria Kasatkina ‘smacked’ her in the practice match before the start of the Rome Open. The 26-year-old has returned to action after a lengthy gap and is currently taking part in the Rome Open where she booked her place in the round of 32 after beating Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk with a score of 6-3, 6-2.

That win will set her up for a mouthwatering clash against Russia’s Kasatkina in the third-round of the mega-event on Sunday. Talking about it, the four-time Grand Slam winner revealed that the two practised before the beginning of the competition where the reigning world number 11 was too hot to handle for her.

"I think she's my first top-10 player I'm playing this year, no? Am I crazy? She's 10, c'mon," said Osaka. "Yeah, honestly, like, I think I've said this before, but she smacked me in Madrid real bad. It was actually embarrassing. I felt like I had to apologize to her after that practice.” Kasatkina, who is not having a great season on the court, booker her place in the round of 32 after beating Germany’s Tatjana Maria in the round of 64 in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-1.

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🚨 THIS IS NOT A DRILL 🚨 @naomiosaka defeats Kostyuk 6-3, 6-2 for her first Top 20 win on clay! #IBI24

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